After Being Expelled From the Sect, the Master and Senior Sisters Regretted It for Life

Chapter 20:

On the platform, Long Lingyun and Tang Qi faced each other.

Though neither had yet made a move, the chilling sword aura emanating from them was enough to make the crowd shiver.

“What an overwhelming presence! It seems they’re evenly matched. This will be an epic duel,” someone commented.

“Nonsense! My Junior Brother is far stronger than this woman. This fight will be over in no time,” retorted Ge Hongqiu, her gaze fixed on Tang Qi with undisguised adoration and worship.

“We can’t afford to underestimate her. That woman is no ordinary opponent,” Chen Ling’er said, her expression serious. Among those present, her swordsmanship ranked among the best, and her experience with the Heaven’s Path Baptism allowed her to perceive far more than the average observer.

The little enchantress, intrigued, studied Long Lingyun from the sidelines. Her right hand repeatedly clenched and released, as if simulating a battle with the woman in her mind.

“In pure swordsmanship, I’m no match for her,” the little enchantress concluded after a moment. She turned to Zhou Tong and asked, “What do you think? Who will win?”

All eyes turned to Zhou Tong. Despite his cultivation being crippled, Zhou Tong had once been the undisputed king among the younger generation, and his keen judgment was unmatched.

“Hah, what could a cripple possibly understand? He’s just trying to make himself seem relevant,” Jiang Yuyao sneered from the side, her tone full of disdain.

The little enchantress shot her a glance, instantly silencing her.

At that moment, Zhou Tong finally spoke. “This duel has no suspense. It’ll end within three moves, with Tang Qi’s crushing defeat.”

His words were like a thunderclap, sending shockwaves through the crowd. Everyone stared at him in disbelief.

“That’s impossible! Tang Qi isn’t just a top-tier prodigy; he’s also undergone the swordsmanship baptism. Among the younger generation, few can even match him, let alone defeat him in three moves!” someone exclaimed.

“You’re just jealous and spewing nonsense, making a fool of yourself!” Chen Ling’er mocked, still bitter over the humiliation Zhou Tong had dealt her earlier.

“Chen Ling’er, I must say, your talent is truly mediocre. I regret ever helping you with the Heaven’s Path Baptism,” Zhou Tong said, his gaze full of disdain. “Even if that opportunity were given to a pig, the pig would gain clarity in swordsmanship. But you? You’re still blind.”

Chen Ling’er’s face turned crimson with shame and fury.

“That’s enough!” Mo Liusu interjected, her tone filled with scorn. “You’re not qualified to criticize Ling’er.”

Zhou Tong met her gaze without flinching. “I didn’t know one needed qualifications to evaluate trash. But to Ling’er’s credit, she’s at least learned to group herself appropriately. Trash belongs with other trash.”

His words were like a bolt of lightning, shocking everyone present. Zhou Tong had just insulted Mo Liusu and her disciples in one fell swoop.

“You…!” Mo Liusu’s pupils contracted, her emotions surging uncontrollably. Her chest heaved as if her heart were being torn apart.

Once, Zhou Tong’s gaze upon her had been filled with respect and admiration. Back then, whenever she felt lost or weary, his presence would calm her, dispelling her doubts and fatigue.

But now, his eyes held only disdain and mockery. The warmth he once reserved for her was now directed at someone else.

This wasn’t right. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.

On the surface, Mo Liusu appeared calm, but internally, she was in turmoil. Two opposing forces clashed within her—one longing for care, the other clinging to pride. The conflict left her feeling utterly lost.

“Boom!”

A violent tremor from the platform snapped everyone back to attention.

Tang Qi had made the first move. Wielding the Heaven’s Path Sword, he channeled the energy of heaven and earth to conjure a ten-zhang-long giant sword, which slashed downward with immense force.

The sheer power of the strike left the audience trembling.

“Channeling heaven, transforming the Dao… Such mastery of technique! Only those who’ve transcended the ordinary and reached the Heaven-Severing Realm can achieve this,” someone whispered in awe.

“This is over. Let’s see how that woman can possibly block this. Zhou Tong’s claim of three moves? What a joke!” Jiang Yuyao scoffed, already imagining how she’d ridicule Zhou Tong afterward.

But her smug expression froze in the next instant.

Long Lingyun’s gaze remained serene. She unsheathed her simple, ancient sword and lightly swung it forward.

In an instant, wind and thunder roared, and another massive sword materialized in the air. Like Tang Qi’s attack, it radiated mastery of heaven and earth, leaving the audience breathless.

The two swords clashed, lightning and thunder erupting in the skies. The resulting sword energy tore through the clouds, scattering them into disarray.

Tang Qi’s expression turned serious. He realized now that Long Lingyun wasn’t an opponent to be taken lightly.

Still, his confidence didn’t waver. He believed victory was within his grasp.

“Miss Long, if you can’t withstand the next move, it’s better to concede early. I’ll hold back,” Tang Qi said as he leaped into the air. Behind him, countless points of light coalesced, shining like a galaxy.

“The Myriad Heavens and Starry Sky!”

This was his signature sword technique, a move that guaranteed victory. Among his peers, no one had ever escaped unscathed from it.

The audience watched in stunned silence as the brilliant stars filled the sky, illuminating the vast expanse and leaving no room for evasion.

“Unbelievable! This technique is already approaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship!” someone gasped. “If Miss Long hasn’t grasped the concept of sword momentum, she has no chance of surviving this.”

All eyes turned to Zhou Tong again, waiting for his explanation.

“It truly is about to end,” Zhou Tong said calmly. His words puzzled the crowd, but the situation on the platform soon provided the answer.

Long Lingyun ran two fingers along her sword, releasing an aura that dominated all.

The audience felt as though a sharp sword hovered above their heads, threatening to fall at any moment.

Even the starry sword energy began to shudder, fragmenting one by one until it completely disintegrated.

“Sword Momentum!”

“It can’t be!”

“Impossible!” an elder exclaimed. “Ubiquitous, unbreakable, unstoppable—this is the essence of Sword Momentum!”

“Slash!”

Long Lingyun swung her sword lightly. Though separated by dozens of feet, Tang Qi was struck as if by lightning. He fell to the ground, spitting blood.

The duel was over.

“You wretch! How dare you harm my Junior Brother? I’ll kill you!” Ge Hongqiu shouted, charging onto the platform, only to be paralyzed by Long Lingyun’s cold gaze.

“I lost…” Tang Qi muttered, unwilling to accept the result. His defeat had been absolute—a crushing disparity of power.

“Miss Long’s swordsmanship is impressive, but in a real fight, she wouldn’t necessarily defeat me,” Tang Qi muttered, attempting to save face.

Long Lingyun didn’t even spare him a glance. She had seen too many defeated warriors cling to excuses.

“You—” Tang Qi’s face twisted, but before he could finish, Long Lingyun turned to Zhou Tong.

“You’re next,” she said, her tone brimming with confidence.